Tory Government is failing the victims of trafficking as statistics show rise

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04 Apr 2017

Diane Abbott, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to National Referral Mechanism statistics showing that child trafficking is rising, said,“This Tory Government is failing the victims of trafficking.
“Recorded child trafficking has reached a record high, but these figures are still well below the Government’s own estimate.
"Meanwhile, decisions to provide support for victims have fallen to a record low.
“The Tories promised in their manifesto to tackle trafficking and child exploitation. Instead they have imposed even further cuts on the Border Force and police, the frontline in the fight against these horrific crimes.”

Notes to editor:

1. Annual statistics on reports to the National Referral Mechanism show that in total there were 3,805 potential victims of trafficking in 2016; a 17% increase on 2015. However, child exploitation referrals rose by 30% to 1,278.
2. The figures also show that positive conclusive decisions — which enable victims to access support — decreased to 635, compared with 1,028 the previous year.
3. Full report - National Crime Agency, NRM End of Year Summary 2016, 29 March 2017, http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/national-referral-mechanism-statistics/2016-nrm-statistics/788-national-referral-mechanism-statistics-end-of-year-summary-2016/file